ABILITIES Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

abilities

noun

plural of ability

as in capabilities

the physical or mental power to do something as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abilities The program welcomes runners of all abilities in fourth through eighth grades with options for high school students too. — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 After three months, their cognitive abilities improved to levels comparable to those of middle-aged adults. — Julia Eskins, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 But there was a switch that occurred as Gonzalez got older — and as the Metro-Dade County Commission voted to repeal the language law in 1993 — where family members would then criticize her Spanish-speaking abilities. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The products announced Tuesday are less critical for Apple than the iPhone, and investors remain focused on iPhone sales, but the accessories were positioned on Tuesday as a showcase for the company's new Siri abilities released last month. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 The team’s commitment to representation is also reflected in the game itself, which features dancers with different backgrounds and abilities. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 On their final night, the veteran took her hand and urged her to recognize and embrace her own abilities — and to chase the rare opportunity that her unique background has opened up. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Related Stories After narrating several episodes with a history of women with the TK gene, which gives Carrie her telekinetic abilities, Adelaide is revealed as the person interviewing the survivors of the prom night fire. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 Colleges must remember that they have been set up to provide people with an education that stretches their cognitive abilities while preparing them for whatever comes next. — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abilities

Noun

Submarine’s combat capabilities tested The launches demonstrated the submarine’s ability to engage targets at sea and on land while operating underwater in the Pacific Ocean.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of capabilities

Noun

These are precisely the capacities organizations rely on when employees are being asked to learn new systems, reconsider priorities, navigate ambiguity and make decisions in unfamiliar circumstances.

— Shahrzad Jalali, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
With awe, the feeling of smallness is inspired by something that makes our own concerns and capacities seem trivial – something like God or the divine.

— Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of capacities

Noun

Rather than exclusively focusing on what’s wrong with our mental health, one approach is to develop skills, traits, and perspectives that can help us.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Eight finalists will compete in a series of challenges inspired by the skills required to make each and every order.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of skills

Noun

Additionally, the strand has also launched two new initiatives, Egyptian Voices for local talents as well as Safe Harbour MENA, in partnership with the International Feature Film Rotterdam.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
She’s caught the attention of many people online, including us here at Allure, because of her incredible talents—and also, her incredible hair.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of talents

Noun

The latest frontier model, with apparent human-level faculties, had gone rogue – displaying dangerous, even devious online behaviors.

— Michael Serazio, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
The search for diversity While college faculties have become more racially diverse since the 1970s, the diversification of the faculty has not kept pace with changes in the college student population.

— Rodney Coates, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of faculties

Noun

For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.

— GRACIA LIU-FARRER, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

Definition of aptitudes

Noun

The organization never really tested their ability to demonstrate competencies and skills for the new job, just their ability to manage their previous responsibilities.

— Christina Greenberg, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Friendships give teens space to develop social skills, learn emotional competencies and explore identity.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of competencies

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“Abilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abilities. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abilities

noun

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